Best family safari holidays in Botswana
It is true that a rather exclusive make up, a staid atmosphere and safety issues like game risks, high walkways and unguarded pools still make a lot of camps in Botswana not suitable for family safari holidays. That said, some smaller lodges and (mobile) safari camps are more flexible, e.g. concerning meal times and children's dietary requests, and so cater well to families with children.
Furthermore there are a couple of accommodation options that offer slightly separated family suites or that are booked on an exclusive-use basis.
Whichever option you choose, parents will often need to book a private vehicle and guide if they want to safari together with their children. This may sound like a rather inconvenient requirement - however, it can significantly enhance your family safari experience in Botswana. A private 4WD and your own guide will allow you to set your own schedule and adapt your safari to the age, interests and wishes of your children.
Best camps & lodges for Family holidays in Botswana
Duke’s Camp
As part of a family safari in Botswana, both Duke’s Camp and Duke’s East are good options, each surrounded by a low fence to restrict larger game movement, and both being oases for birds and smaller wildlife. Large family rooms and pools allow for a relaxing experience. Each camp has their own large family suite with is made up of two ensuite bedrooms and an interconnecting lounge area. The family suite at Dukes East has their own private plunge pool and because of the camps small size is ideal for exclusive use.
Kanana
With a large family tent, child-friendly meals and no requirement to book and pay for a private vehicle for children under 12 years, Kanana is a good choice on a family safari in Botswana. That said, a private vehicle would offer greater flexibility. Kanana also offers the Young Explorers program which is a privately guided family focused safari.
Nxabega Tented Camp
Children are welcome at Nxabega, whose staff are flexible and go out of their way to make your family safari in Botswana enjoyable. Children of six and over are accommodated on game drives at the lodge manager's discretion without the need for a private vehicle.
Nxai Pan Camp
Nxai Pan Camp has a family unit and is a good option for a family safari in Botswana for those with older children who are enthusiastic about wildlife. It is also possible to book a private 'family safari', guided by a child-friendly guide and tracker.
Seba Camp
In a great location for water-based activities and excellent birding, Seba Camp is a welcoming option for family holidays in Botswana. It has two family tents with a private pool, toys and a sandpit. Guided nature walks for children can be arranged.
Jao Camp
For those who want a luxury family holiday Jao can be a wonderful option with a range of flexible activities and a habituated mongoose clan is always a source of entertainment. Families with children aged 6–12 usually need to book a private vehicle.
Chitabe Lediba
The family chalets at Chitabe Lediba are two fully functioning standard chalets with their own ensuite bathrooms joined by a short corridor. This coupled with an informal atmosphere make the camp a fantastic option for a family safari in Botswana.
Camp Kalahari
Quadbiking across Botwana's Kalahari saltpans and a fascinating Bushman experience make for memorable family safari holidays at Camp Kalahari. Visiting the habituated families of meerkats here is another highlight for children and adults alike.
Linyanti Ebony
Linyanti Ebony’s spacious family room is a good accommodation for Botswana family safari holidays, particularly with slightly older children. Combine this with the ‘Young Explorers’ programme to have a specialist family guide travel with you.
Okavango Explorers
Children aged 10 and over are welcome on safari with special activities organised through the ‘Young Explorers’ club, and the camp is small enough to be taken over in its entirety by a family of 10-12 for a completely private family safari.
DumaTau
Duma Tau has two family units; each consisting of two en-suite rooms separated by an open deck. It would best suit families on safari in Botswana with children aged over 12; those with younger children have to book a private vehicle.
Kalahari Plains Camp
Kalahari Plains Camp has an interconnecting family chalet with a single sleep-out deck, so this is a good option for a family safari in Botswana. Furthermore, the complimentary ‘Bush Buddy’ programme aims to entertain and educate children.
Tau Pan Camp
Tau Pan is a good option for families with older children who have a keen interest in nature. Short walks are a great way of learning about the fauna and flora. The camp also offers a ‘family safari’, led by a private guide and tracker.
Muchenje Safari Lodge
For a family safari in Botswana, Muchenje is a fantastic option with guides who specialised in guiding children for years. The lodge has a family room with two single beds in a 'loft' area (albeit up a fairly steep stepladder).
Okuti
Okuti is part of the Young Explorers programme, offering families a specialist guide who has experience guiding children in the bush. It is also fenced and takes children aged 7+ making it a great family-friendly safari camp.
Kings Pool
King’s Pool has a family suite consisting of two en-suite interleading rooms. It would best suit families on safari in Botswana with children aged over 12; those with younger children have to book a private vehicle.
Lagoon Camp
For those with older children who are enthusiastic about wildlife, Lagoon Camp is a good option for a family holiday in Botswana. As well as having a family chalet, the camp offers a privately guided “family safari”.
Shinde Footsteps
Shinde Footsteps runs exclusive family safaris in Botswana (“Young Explorers”). Youngsters from seven years up can learn bush skills, from identifying animals and their tracks to cooking on a fire and fishing.
Private Mobile
The team behind the Botswana Private Mobile Safari has a lot of experience in family safaris. The owners have a young child of their own and with a minimum age of 6 this is a great option for family safaris.
Shinde Camp
A family chalet, specialist family friendly guiding programme and a more relaxed child policy than most of Botswana's safari camps make Shinde a wonderful camp for your family safari to Botswana.
Pom Pom Camp
With a family chalet, consisting of two interlinked bedrooms with a shared bathroom, Pom Pom Camp is a good option on a family safari to Botswana – ideally with children aged 12 or over.
Splash Camp
The exclusive use Splash Enclave has its own private main area including a pool and no age restrictions making it a fantastic option for a family visiting Botswana.
Machaba Camp
Machaba has two very spacious family tents and is a good option for a family safari in Botswana with older children who are enthusiastic about wildlife.
Savute Safari Lodge
With a swimming pool and a large family chalet with 2 ensuite bedrooms Savute Safari Lodge is a great stop on a family safari in Botswana.
Family holidays elsewhere in Africa
Our top ideas and inspiration for Family holidays in other countries.
Where to see wildlife species in Botswana
Maximise the chances of seeing your favourite animals based on traveller sightings reports from the field.
Lion
Panthera leo
Lions are at the top of the food chain and also most safari wish-lists, but with their numbers falling fast, any encounter with these majestic apex predators always feels like a privilege.
81% SUCCESS
3,130 sightings from 3,868 observations
Leopard
Panthera pardus
The most numerous of Africa’s big cats, leopard occur across many habitats, from wild tracts to populated areas. Their grace and their elusive nature make them a unique safari drawcard.
47% SUCCESS
2,008 sightings from 4,295 observations
Cheetah
Acinonyx jubatus
The cheetah is the fastest land animal and the only cat that hunts by pure speed. Found largely in open grasslands, its slim, elegant form is today an increasingly rare sight.
33% SUCCESS
1,075 sightings from 3,287 observations
Wild dog
Lycaon pictus
African wild dogs are among the continent’s most compelling animals. Much misunderstood, these rare, tie-dyed canids are amazingly efficient hunters with a fascinating social life.
32% SUCCESS
908 sightings from 2,868 observations
Spotted Hyena
Crocuta crocuta
The spotted hyena may be thought of as ‘ugly’ and ‘cowardly’. In fact, this versatile and intelligent carnivore is one of Africa’s most fascinating and warrants attention on any safari.
55% SUCCESS
2,236 sightings from 4,089 observations
Brown Hyena
Parahyaena brunnea
This largely solitary scavenger is one of the more elusive and little-known of Africa’s carnivores. Shaggier than its spotted cousin, it occurs only in the arid southwest of the continent.
16% SUCCESS
252 sightings from 1,587 observations
Meerkat
Suricata suricatta
These highly sociable little mammals have an endearing appearance and comical antics. Found in the drier areas of Southern Africa, close encounters are a sought-after experience.
21% SUCCESS
91 sightings from 432 observations
Elephant
Loxodonta africana
By far the biggest of the so-called Big Five – indeed, the largest land animal on the planet – the elephant shapes the very landscape it inhabits and is a defining presence on any safari.
91% SUCCESS
3,760 sightings from 4,141 observations
Buffalo
Syncerus caffer
One of the ‘Big Five’, buffalo earned a fearsome reputation in hunters’ tales. By contrast, big herds of these sociable bovids are placid, but mount formidable defences against predators.
83% SUCCESS
2,649 sightings from 3,200 observations
Giraffe
Giraffa camelopardalis
The world’s tallest land mammal, giraffes are herbivores which have evolved many unique adaptations. Their iconic outlines tower above the bush in many of Africa’s wildlife areas.
86% SUCCESS
3,622 sightings from 4,218 observations
Hippo
Hippopotamus amphibius
The territorial calls of the hippo create a signature soundtrack to Africa’s rivers & wetlands. Despite an endearing smile, this aquatic herbivore has a notoriously aggressive disposition.
89% SUCCESS
2,749 sightings from 3,077 observations
Black Rhino
Diceros bicornis
The black rhino is the smaller and rarer of Africa’s two rhino species but has the more fearsome reputation. Shy and heavily persecuted, it tends to stick to cover.
30% SUCCESS
637 sightings from 2,110 observations
White Rhino
Ceratotherium simum
The white rhino is the largest and most numerous of the world’s five rhinoceros species. They are larger, easier to see and generally more approachable than the black rhino.
43% SUCCESS
511 sightings from 1,178 observations
Oryx
Oryx sp.
Oryx are impressive antelopes, with a powerful physique and elegant markings set off by rapier-like horns. They cut a distinctive dash in some of Africa’s harshest landscapes.
70% SUCCESS
1,374 sightings from 1,976 observations
Eland
Taurotragus oryx
Africa’s largest antelope, eland are culturally important from prehistoric rock art to modern game farms. Though widespread, they are also shy so sightings are uncommon and often fleeting.
49% SUCCESS
1,496 sightings from 3,071 observations
Roan antelope
Hippotragus equinus
Africa’s second largest antelope and one of its most handsome, with a powerful build and distinctive markings, roan are wary of people, but renowned for their bravery against predators.
24% SUCCESS
497 sightings from 2,114 observations
Sable antelope
Hippotragus niger
Perhaps Africa’s most beautiful antelope, sable are renowned for their combative nature, even holding off lions. Shy and restricted in range, sightings of sable are always special.
23% SUCCESS
479 sightings from 2,115 observations
Sitatunga
Tragelaphus spekii
The sitatunga is the most aquatic of Africa’s antelopes and specially adapted to its swampy habitats. Though widespread across Africa, only a handful of places offer reliable sightings.
19% SUCCESS
65 sightings from 347 observations
Wildebeest
Connochaetes sp.
Superficially bovine in appearance, wildebeests are known for their spectacular migrations sometimes in huge numbers. These resilient animals are some of Africa’s most successful herbivores.
68% SUCCESS
2,566 sightings from 3,801 observations
Zebra
Equus sp.
The zebra is a quintessential African animal: the horse in stripy pyjamas at the end of every child’s A–Z. There are three species, of which the plains zebra is much the most common.
84% SUCCESS
3,960 sightings from 4,713 observations
Pangolin
Smutsia sp.
Pangolins appear to be more pine cone than animal in their unique armoury of scales. These nocturnal, ant-eating oddities are not only highly elusive but also increasingly rare.
2% SUCCESS
57 sightings from 3,448 observations
Aardvark
Orycteropus afer
The aardvark is one of Africa’s most bizarre and enigmatic animals. A shy, nocturnal termite-eater, signs of its presence may be scattered about the bush whilst sightings remain elusive.
2% SUCCESS
73 sightings from 3,435 observations
Other styles of holiday in Botswana
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